Walden University

I realized when I started at Walden I was taking a risk for a for-profit school but it cost a lot LESS than most non-profit schools when I included the military discount so I decided to go for it. The quality of instruction is iffy sometimes. First of... Read More all, we need to set things straight regarding expectations regarding instruction. This is not a bachelor's program. Masters-level students are expected to digest the material and then analyze it and write about it. Many people are expecting to be taught the material. They don't do that. They comment on what you are learning and provide feedback about what you learned or what you did not learn. And this is where I mark the professors as iffy. Most are very invested and provide great feedback and information to help you learn more about something or give appropriate critique, while others give you no valuable feedback at all. They are all doctorates and very knowledgeable in the field but not all make great professors. I have three quarters left and I have only had one truly awful professor. When I reached out to him and only got cold and rude responses that did not address my concerns I called and complained to my advisor, who put me in touch with the head of the department. She asked for more information to prove my complaints were valid and then switched me to another section and apologized on behalf of the department for this professor's behavior and said she would be contacting him. That demonstrates that she listens to valid complaints and does try to help students when the situation merits it. All in all, my experience at Walden has been very good thus far and I would recommend their online MSW program for any self-starter. There are TONS of tutorials to learn about the platform and a host of other things that will help students succeed in the program. Just go in with realistic expectations and realize that the online format is very different from a brick-and-mortar program but the education available will absolutely prepare you for a career in social work if you put in the work required to make yourself proficient.

Like a few on here have stated, you have to be a motivated individual to attend Walden University. That's goes for any online school. They aren't going to hold your hand for long (if at all). I had a positive experience with this school (I had to take... Read More a couple of classes over, but that was all on me slacking). I did my work on time as I should. I asked questions to my guidance counselors and my professors if I needed help. And I graduated down in Tampa with my Master's Degree within my estimated time. You get out if it whatever you put into it. All in all, Walden is a pretty good school.

I am a very self motivated student and I feel like Walden was a great fit for me. I think with any program, the curriculum includes the bare minimum of what you need to know. While the educational materials and learning experiences at Walden were great,... Read More I had to do the work to really read and study on my own. I also looked for learning opportunities in practicum and sought out information. If you’re not self motivated this program won’t work for you. I had a positive experience, passed boards 1st time, and had preceptors who said I was more prepared and knowledgeable than other students they have had.